VOL. 128 NO. 38 DAVISCLIPPER.COM FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2020 ‘WEIGHT’ is OVER STORY ON PAGE 2 ROGER V. TUTTLE 2 FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2020 NEWS THE DAVIS CLIPPER R ecreation Center makes plans to reopen by Becky GINOS Since the facility has been closed Patrons can register or reserve “We won’t open as early or close as BG [email protected] they haven’t collected any monthly space through the rec center’s online late. Patrons can visit our website or membership fees, said Miller. “We’re system. “We’ll be focusing mostly on social media for the most up to date BOUNTIFUL — It’s been almost extending passes two months related members. They’ll get first priority information or call between 8 a.m. two months since the South Davis to the date we closed. All spring but others have the opportunity too.” and 4 p.m. We’ll be doing a campaign Recreation Center closed along with most other gyms and fitness facilities. However, with the state and county’s move to the moderate risk category, businesses are cautiously opening back up with restrictions. The rec center plans to open May 21 with limited capacity. “We will not open normally,” said Executive Director Tif Miller. “We’ll be following the guidelines set forth through the state and health depart- ment. We’ll start by offering small classes like ice skating skills, fitness and aquatics classes. There will not be any team sports at this time.” There will be no drop in open plunge either, he said. “Only the lap pool is available as well as weights and other fitness equipment. We’ll have extra staff to clean and we’ll limit the amount of equipment in use to keep people apart.” PHO TOS BY ROGER V. TUTTLE Miller said child care will not EX ECUTIVE DIRECTOR TIF MILLER LOOKS OUT over an empty basketball court and the lap pool. be open to the public at this point. “We’ll follow all guidelines for child care and we’ll be evaluating sports were cancelled so we offered Miller said they are encouraging on it sometime next week to give and looking for guidance from the a refund or credit to their account. people coming in to wear masks. people time to prepare and see how state and keep an eye on it to make Some took advantage either way.” “We’re discouraging anyone who things will be operating.” changes as we can and as we’re Currently, they’re looking at team is in the high risk category from Safety is their number one prior- allowed to.” sports for summer. “We’ll evaluate coming to the facility. Staff will clean ity, said Miller. “We’ll do our utmost Figure skating and skills class based on guidelines for tennis, adult between sessions to make sure it’s to make sure it’s a safe environment sizes will be kept small, he said. softball and sports/fitness camps extra clean and we won’t have back for when we open. It will be much “We’ll be limiting the amount of things like that. If we have those, to back sessions to allow cleaning different but we’re excited to see people on the ice to maintain the 10 registration will be later this month. before, during and after.” people come back, get exercise and feet separation we’ve been asked to They’ll probably start a little later to Hours of operation will change join us in keeping the facility as safe have between people.” correspond with registration.” for the time being as well, he said. as possible as well.” Can I make changes to information that I have submitted for the Veteran Wall? Q: Yes, before engraving on the wall takes place. Contact a Foundation A: Member at [email protected] THE DAVIS CLIPPER NEWS FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2020 3 County tourism – a waiting game by Becky GINOS Normally, the tourism office BG [email protected] pushes ski resorts as well. “Davis County is within an hour of nine FARMINGTON — Tourism was resorts but we had to stop short. We one of the hardest hit by COVID-19, try to focus on the slower season leaving those involved reeling while to get the economic impact in trying to find ways to keep going. those times.” DOCKDOGS PERFORM at “For the last six weeks our focus Right now they are last year's has been on supporting our local promoting outside recreation, county fair. community businesses,” said Jessica she said. “We’re encouraging Merrill, Davis County Tourism people to get outside and go Division Director. “Restaurants have into our backyard, but recreate been our biggest push with give- responsibly. Antelope Island has aways on social media; daily blogs always been open, just not Fielding highlighting different restaurants and Garr Ranch and the museum right whether people could go get take now, except for when it was only BECKY GINOS out. We’ve tried to be a resource for available to residents. When it our community partners and help to opened back up to everyone there funnel messages to them.” were 100 cars in line.” It’s been all hands on deck, she As part of their effort to engage said. “We’ve tried to get the word out the public, the tourism office created for our 400+ an activity book restaurants in and Play in Davis Davis County We’re Bingo online and give updates at playindavis. on their status. encouraging com. “The bingo We wanted to people to has outdoor be a one stop “ recreation and shop for people get outside the first three to go for that people to get information.” and go into Bingo get a Some cities gift card,” said have cancelled our backyard, Merrill. “It gives upcoming events people some- or put them on but recreate thing to do and hold, Merrill said. look forward to.” “The county’s responsibly.” There are two main also random events are the » Jessica Merrill, Davis County giveaways on Antelope Island Tourism Division Director their social by Moonlight media plat- Bike Ride on July 31 and the fair in forms. “It creates awareness for our August. We’re planning accordingly restaurants and it’s a fun way to as if they’re going to happen. Fairs engage our audience,” she said. “The don’t just happen overnight – you Great Salt Lake Bird Festival was still have to plan. But we’re evaluating supposed to happen this week but daily and taking direction from the that got cancelled in April. I can’t state. We’ll wait and see at what tell you how many hours we put point we’ll move forward or cancel. into that.” I’m hopeful since they’re later in the They are working on a recovery summer.” plan for when things get back to Merrill said her department hasn’t normal. “As we turn the lights on and pushed anything with travel under see a light at the end of the tunnel the circumstances. “During the as we move to the orange stage and summer Lagoon is a big one that has hopefully to yellow, we’ll see what an impact and is an economic driver. that’s going to look like,” Merrill said. We’ve stopped traditional marketing “We’ll slowly introduce ourselves like Play in Davis. We’re really just back into the market. It’s just focusing on our local businesses. different. We really do have some Summer is peak season for hotels exciting things we want to roll out and plays into high occupancy rates. I when everything settles down. It’s don’t know if we’ll see that.” just an adventure.” 4 FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2020 NEWS THE DAVIS CLIPPER THE DAVIS OPINI N CLIPPER LIBERTY FEST A DMINISTRATION CANCELED IN COVID-19 – Now what America? R . Gail Stahle PUBLISHER [email protected] merica is now opening back up. enough. We don't need more from China of ext. 114 NORTH SALT People are starting to venture anything. By the way, quit buying anything L orie Matern back to church. Places of work are made from China. Off ICE MANAGER Areopening. Restaurants are reopening. Use commonsense! Be safe, be smart. [email protected] LAKE State parks are reopening. The beaches Don't go to church if you don't want to! If ext. 115 are opening many places. Most Americans you have health or age issues stay home by Tom A DVERTISING HaraldSEN are breathing a sigh of relief. Americans or go walk the park. People in church are T [email protected] are sick and tired of COVID-19. We're tired going to be in close proximity. It cannot Brad Roghaar of hearing about it and we're tired of the be avoided totally. Hallways are narrow S ALES REPRESENTATIVE NORTH SALT LAKE — City repercussions from it. More Americans now and restrooms are small at church. You are [email protected] are unemployed since the Great going to be close to somebody. ext. 135 Council has cancelled the Depression. More unemployment You can go to church later. Pray R ichard Stahle popular Liberty Fest celebra- claims have been filed than ever at home, read your Bible at home S ALES REPRESENTATIVE tion for 2020. A release from before. Many Americans have and if you have any income you [email protected] the city said the event, which filed for unemployment weeks can mail your church a check. ext. 137 ago and still haven't a penny of However, if you want to go to had been scheduled for June EDITORIAL money.